What is a bid package in construction, and what goes in one?

A bid package means two things

When an owner or a general contractor “issues a bid package”, it means the documents bidders price from. When a contractor “submits a bid package”, it means everything the bidder sends back. A GC also splits a project into trade bid packages, one per scope, to collect subcontractor bids.

The owner’s bid package: what bidders receive

• Invitation or advertisement for bids, with the due date and place
• Instructions to bidders
• The bid form, with base bid, unit prices and alternates
• Bid security and bonding requirements
• Contract terms and general and supplementary conditions
• Drawings and specifications
• Addenda issued before the bid

The contractor’s bid package: what you send back

• The completed bid form, signed
• Bid security, such as a bid bond, where required
• Addenda acknowledgment
• Required forms: certifications, affidavits, participation forms
• Qualifications or experience statements if asked for
• Anything else the instructions list, in the order they list it

Bid package checklist

Read the instructions to bidders and turn each requirement into a line you can check off. A requirements matrix does this. See the bid preparation checklist and the compliance matrix.

Bid package example

The Bidmere sample bid package shows a requirements matrix and outline. For the pricing side, the bid sheet template lays out base bid, unit prices and alternates.

Getting a bid package prepared

Bidmere prepares bid and proposal packages for contractors to review, sign and submit: a requirements matrix, proposal drafts, organized forms and attachments and a final review checklist. Packages are from $1,950 and ready in 5 business days.

Frequently asked questions